Got Bliss?
I apologize.
I was so "busy" this week being blissed out in SW Florida that I forgot to post! (LOL)
Bliss ... What does that word or concept mean to you?
I don't know that I'd really heard or even understood the notion until I became familiar with the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell. "Follow your bliss," he is reported to have said.
This was not his complete statement. To get the full meaning from these powerful words, I invite you to read this:
Follow your bliss.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.
This week I was following my bliss ... working on the book that's been gestating in me, savoring the tropical warmth. Basking in the sound of palm trees swishing and waves lapping upon the shore. Doing metta. Choosing to re-root my life in a very simple existence—listening, writing, enjoying the bounty of nature. And that's why I lost track of time.
I also opened myself up to Trust in a new way and so many marvelous opportunities blew in. I met new people, those of whom Joseph Campbell speaks—people in MY field of bliss. New doorways opened. In coming days, I'll be saying more ...
What would it mean for you to follow your bliss?
Are you?
Can you, if you're not?
Oh, I do hope you are ... or at least you'll try. The world needs the outpouring of your joy.
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18 comments:
Ahh...Joseph, my man. :)
And he really did mean a concrete bliss. His,for example, was to work on mythology. His wife's bliss was dance.
When we do these things we are born to do, we become who we were meant to be. Then we are fulfilled, enlightened, embodied.
Nothing mysterious or otherworldly about it. We humans make things so difficult for ourselves, so complicated.
Bliss, passion, purpose. The mean the same to me.
If I had to define bliss, as you asked Jan, I'd say that it speaks of joyful contentment as we pursue and engage with our passions, receive and give unconditional love and savor the simple things of daily life.
"the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living." For me this is the essential piece of what following my bliss means...it is what I am engaged in...it is not always "happy" or "sunny" ...but it is MY bliss, MY path... the one intended for me and I feel contented with this. Thank you for posting this full text Jan.
Write on my friend:)
Bliss to me is: freedom to create, getting lost in my art, not feeling rushed, surrounded by love, family and friends, feeling content.
Glad you are finding bliss in Florida...enjoy!
Oh, baby, thank you SO MUCH for this. Today I took a huge leap toward my bliss in resigning from a part-time job to free myself up to pursue other passions. My energy is drained right now from the intensity of saying goodbye to some dear friends and letting go of that extra financial security, but I did it because I KNEW God was calling me to something way more delicious. Reading your post was so affirming. Much love to you.
Thank you Jan, This post has arrived just at the right time for me. Having had my Dad who I cared for for 2 1/2 years pass away 3 weeks ago I am really trying to find MY Bliss at the moment. The hard part is what I want to keep in my life and what I don't.
I'm pleased to hear you are having a relaxing and creative time (often go together don't they?) For me my bliss has many forms (lucky me!), mostly it's about creating. I too love to write and the buzz is when I write something that really connects with someone. But I also love just writing for myself - a story worked up and finished (ahhhh bliss) a poem etc.
But just this morning I was thinking 'This is bliss' - and you know what it was? Me and hubby chilling out on the sofa (with that fab view), fresh coffee in our mugs - and our darling Sorrel stretched out enjoying the sunshine.
Oh, I was in bliss today. I attended a writing workshop that used Rumi and Hafiz to get the creative juices flowing through my veins. It was titled, 'Doorways to the Self.'
Writing is following my bliss. So is meditating, spending time near the ocean and nature, and compassionate prayer.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful sunset, Jan. I hope you found your colors there.
Hi Jan .. bliss for me now – would be things sorted & a sort of routine existence now my mother is better – then I can quietly get on and move forward preparing for future projects, once I’m free.
I agree if we are doing things we love, we meet others with similar interests, who are supportive, while ideas and opportunities come flooding in because we’re open – even in the blogging world .. this is very possible ..
Jan – great about the book .. though I am somewhat jealous of the warm sun, sea lapping quietly in the background, palms rustling in the wind .. though the sun is shining here today and a slightly warmer today (bliss) & good for our Mother’s Day .. have a good Sunday .. Hilary
I'm not on the right track yet but I am working in the right direction. In the meantime I love reading about you finding your bliss. Thank you for posting the Campbell quote. They are powerful words, an invitation to trust what I know to be true, as you have done, Jan.
Great post!
I love Joe!
Bliss, it means to me, art, doing art, walking in nature and spending time with friends and reading a good book. I do all these things, but not enough because the fear of lack of money and the need to pay bills causes me to work at jobs that are not my bliss, yet when I do my art, still it does not sell enough to support me, so I fear and go back to jobs. It has been a circle of struggle I would like to break, I do trust, but perhaps not enough or long enough...xoxo
Hi Jan -- this definitely resonates with how things have been going for me recently -- I was giving a talk about my book and I started noticing I liked the Q&A period much more than the part where I was presenting, and what I realized was how incredible it would feel to do a whole workshop that was entirely "Q&A" -- me just working with people one-on-one in front of the group. I've been on fire with that idea for a few days now.
Oh, such wonderful responses, everyone! You can just smell the bliss in the air here...
Christine, ah, I did not know this about JC's wife. A dancer, how perfect. I love what you say about doing the things we are born to do. Such a lovely thought of how we come to bliss. Dance on!
Cheryl,
Joyful contentment is a lovely phrase. Receiving and giving love is, indeed, bliss too...
Laura,
I appreciate the fine tuning here, Laura. It speaks of acceptance and being present to how the Divine is calling you in the moment. And when you are attuned to that, all is bliss. Beautiful!
Caroline,
The freedom to be YOU is what your bliss sounds like to me. I hope you have a lifetime of that...
Joy,
You HAVE taken a big leap and, from the sound of your commitment and passion, I am sure bliss is on its way to you. Congratulations on taking the leap to be all that you can be!
Davine,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. This will be a very big adjustment for you, obviously. As the days unfold, I will hope and pray that you stay attuned to your divine purpose and listen intently so you know which way to go. Breathe on with ease...
Stoneweaver,
You have named three of my favorite pasttimes that naturally create bliss - like you... creativity, being with my Beloved, experiencing the awe of nature. Each one offers up unique opportunities to connect with the divine and our inner joy, definitely!
Mermaid,
This workshop sounds amazing and I am glad that you were bliss-filled with creativity. The ocean too brings bliss for so many. And glad to hear that meditation brings it as well. Joy!
Hilary,
Enjoy your Mother's Day! And hugs to Mom. I can imagine that "order" would bring relief and joy to you. But, in the meantime, you are so buoyed by companionship that certainly shades of bliss are there. :-)
Sharon,
Glad you liked the full remarks. They sure speak to me. And may you continue to orient your self toward and into your truest self where your creativity and bliss reside...and are always waiting for us. Be well!
I was going to write that I'm trying to live my bliss, then I decided *that* is all wrong.
So, yes I live my bliss. Bliss to me is not trying at all--it's remaining open to the day exactly as it's meant to unfold; from morning to evening. Remaining open fills each ordinary day with so much delight that I look back and think how extraordinary it was. Bliss is knowing I am who I am supposed to be, doing exactly what it is I am meant to do in this very moment.
Bliss is true contentment and a genuine smile in my heart that overflows to all around me. And bliss is definitely experienced while eating good chocolate:)
Following my bliss, I can do that when it has nothing to do with attachment to the outcome.
Doors indeed opened when I wanted to live away from the city and had no fixed ideas how that was going to happen.
Doors opened when I wanted to follow my bliss in spinning and wanted alpaca fiber.
I can come up with countless stories how doors magically open.
However when I am too attached to the outcome and start to worry, it ain't happening that fluidly and as quickly. I know that and yet . . . Interesting.
Chris,
It does sound like you are listening to the call of your bliss. :-) It says much about your deep care and concern for people. Q & A gets to the heart of the matter and invites others us. Perhaps that is what your heart is longing for? A beautiful call, for sure...
Joy,
Your words are quite touching. Especially the "smile in my heart" phrase. The fact that you intend to be in the moment as your life shows is key to contentment, I would say. Good for you. Blessings!
Wilma,
Yes, when we have no fixed ideas - a very apt description of what happens to make all those doors open. Letting go brings such pleasures and contentment...down the road, that is. May not always feel great in the moment but if we can get used to that sensation, we become more at ease with life as it is showing up...then more contentment comes. Definitely a practice for most of us.
Spinning. How wonderful!
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